PRYOR TIGERS
Coach: KENNY DAVIS
QUICK HITS:
The Tigers open the season at Sallisaw. The teams haven’t played since 2002. The Tigers will be looking to even the series that began in 1982 at five wins a side. Pryor bounced back from a 72-7 loss to Grove in 2022, with a 46-7 win over the Ridgerunners in 2023. Both margins were the largest wins for each side in the series. Braden Ward completed 15 of 26 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns while Brock Ward hauled in five of those passes for 118 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Grove.
LAST 8 YEARS:
2023 – 5-6
2022 – 2-8
2021 – 9-3
2020 – 8-3
2019 – 6-5
2018 – 3-7
2017 – 3-7
2016 – 4-6
OFFENSE
A strong junior class and the return of seven starters on offense has coach Kenny Davis optimistic about the upcoming season. “We return a lot of guys with experience. We are looking to build of last year’s playoff run. Excited to see what this group can accomplish,” said Davis. Several sophomores saw significant playing time last season including quarterback Braden Ward (6-1, 170, Jr.) who threw for 2,395 yards and 20 touchdowns in the spread, up-tempo offense the Tigers like to run. He returns two of his favorite targets in Brock Ward (6-0, 175, Jr.) and Gavin Roberts (6-0, 170, Jr.). Ward made 57 receptions for 713 yards while Roberts amassed 591 yards on 39 receptions. The tandem is tough to stop and with the emergence of a third WR, the Tigers will field an offense that puts the ball downfield and forces defenses into poor decision. One big reason the Tigers are successful in the passing game is the offensive line. Justin Pryor (6-0, 230, Jr.), Nathan Hansbrough (6-2, 275, Jr.), and Brycen Cowan (6-5, 260, Sr.) are stalwarts upfront giving Ward and others the opportunity to make plays and be successful. Look for coach Davis and his staff to continue developing solid options at running back and tight end.
DEFENSE
The 3-4 Tiger defense could be just as exciting to watch as the offense. A few players will go both ways but one guy to watch is Mason McAlvain (6-3, 330, So.), or Big Mac! The big man started all 11 games as a freshman and is the present and future of the Tiger defense. He notched 27 tackles last season and is looking stronger coming into this season. Justin Pryor will benefit from a guy like McAlvain getting double team as Pryor looks to come off the edge and pressure the opposing QB. Pryor recorded 29 tackles last season. Caleb Cantrell (6-2, 220, Sr.) is everything you want in an old school thumper type linebacker. Cantrell made 108 tackles, three sacks and grabbed one INT as a junior. His play sets the tone for the defense. Joining Cantrell at linebacker is John Whipple (6-1, 210, Sr.). Whipple accounted for 57 tackles and one INT last year. The pair create nightmares for anyone with the ball. Brock Ward will start at free safety with Kaden Rice (5-10, 175, Jr.) at strong safety. Rice made 20 tackles last season with Ward grabbing 69 tackles and three INTs. The coaching staff consists of Ricky Ward, Jeff Williams, Mikkel Stump, Jimmy Ratcliff, Zach Cowan, Clayton Saiz, Taylor Poe, Ben Ward, and Dawson Fleak.
8-30 – at Sallisaw
9-6 – vs. Catoosa
9-13 – at Glenpool
9-27 – vs. Will Rogers
10-4 – at Tahlequah
10-11 – vs. Claremore
10-17 – at Nathan Hale
10-25 – at Collinsville
11-1 – vs. Memorial
11-8 – at Del City
